I spoke with the man that has the New Idea corn picker. He say's it's a 309. He's going to check the Serial # and get to me with that so we can tell the year model. He's going to email me pictures. He says that it's in good shape with only a dent on the bottom of the elevator.
What do I need to look for when I go to look at it???
I paid $800.00 for my 2RN 325 picker. I would think that a wide row and an older picker would go for cheaper. Maybe I just got a good deal and $800.00 is a good price.
That's what I was thinking. I was thinking more in the $500.00 range of course I haven't seen it yet. It may look brand new, you never know.
I have never used or even see a corn picker in person (besides looking at myself in the mirror ).
I really would like one that will accept a sheller.
On Edit: Of course I am located in Alabama and don't know how hard it's going to be to find a picker since I'm not in the "corn belt" like some of you guys in Indiana and etc....
Maybe you could try putting a want ad in your local newspaper or farm magazine. That is usually a good way to find used farm equipment, especially when you don't know where to start looking.
I,m in N.C. that will be a good buy if it is in good shape and also if it has a hydrilac cylinder on it. I have a 309 @ 2 row mount unit. There pretty simple i like mine it does a good job. Go on line @ look up Godley Auction Comp. they are out of S.C. @ also look up the Farmers Conection good luck!(the cylinder will pickup the header)
I,m in N.C. that will be a good buy if it is in good shape and also if it has a hydrilac cylinder on it. I have a 309 @ 2 row mount unit. There pretty simple i like mine it does a good job. Go on line @ look up Godley Auction Comp. they are out of S.C. @ also look up the Farmers Conection good luck!(the cylinder will pickup the header)
This is a 309 1 row unit. I will post pictures when he emails them to me. How good is the 309 at removing the husk??? I'm used to hand pulling field corn and piling it in the barn on a concrete floor. To store it like this would I be better off with a husker or not.
Also, what about shelling???? By hand, with an attached or individual sheller like the JD that is PTO driven or can I get it shelled at a feed mill????
Sorry for so many questions. I'm just trying to learn.
Can you post pictures of your 309 so I'll know what I'm looking at/for? And what should I look for when I go to look at it??? I can inspect a tractor, but have never seen a picker in person.
After looking at a New Idea Super Picker brochure that I have it seems that the snapper models do not take off the husk. Here are 2 pictures of the 309. I hope they turn out ok and I did it right. I apologize if I screwed it up.
Thanks!!! At least that gives me something to go by. It's fine if the corn is still on the cob. Do you own a 309??? If so, can you post pics of it??? How does it work???
My 2 row is a 305 gathering unit with 308 hopper unit it and the 309 look the same other than the 305 is a 2 row alot of the same parts. 309 is a snapper unit it will take alot of the shuck off if you pick it when it has about 21 % moirsture. I like the shuck on mine because the shuck gives you alittle more filler when i grind mine. I don,t think a sheller will attach to it most of them are on 2 row units. I maybe wrong it wouldn,t be the first time. I will try to post pic. of my 309 as soon as i get a chance.
If I understand correctly the corn with the 309 will be on the cob WITH the husk on after it is picked. I don't have any idea how well the corn will dry if it is piled thick like in a regular crib with the husk on. I would think that if it is just laying on the barn floor it would be ok if kept to a couple feet thick. Sorry I don't have a 309 so I don't know how well they work. I have an International 1PR and a New Idea 325 gathering unit with a 314 sheller.
When you have the silks and husks in the crib they block the air from circulating to dry the corn. plus the rats use them to make a nest and their moisture will make a wet spot that can spoil the surrounding corn.I imaginge their is some pickers in alabama that will be found . Just not as many as around here. I know there is always farm equipment from the midwest being shipped south.
I don't know much about the older pickers, but maybe look for broken or bent parts. maybe try turning the pto by hand. If it turns fairly easy, the the picker probably isn't rusted up. Even if everything seems alright I'd still offer $500.00. Even if the owner doesn't accept the offer maybe he'll come down a little on the price.
That's what I was thinking. Turn it by hand. Then attach to his tractor and run it. Comparing the pictures that JB Dairy posted and the ones that the guy sent me it looks like maybe one of the cables running to the elevator is missing. If it is maybe he'll come down on price.
If I do buy it will I have to haul it or can I pull it behind my truck (aprox 50 miles). I figure hauling it would be better. I really don't know.
If you could get the picker on a trailer I'd recommend hauling it. But if you would pull it, you couldn't go very fast (20mph max). You'd mainly have to worry about the tires and speed if you pulled it. I think a one row picker would be narrower and would probably fit on a trailer better. Then you could also go faster if it was on a trailer.
That picker looks halfway decent. I would buy it if I needed one. $500 would be good. It's $300 better than $800. It prob is worth $8oo if they are scarce where you live. One thing I would look at is the gearbox where the PTO goes into. It looks like it might be leaking pretty good. Before you run it any length of time check it and top off the oil in it. If you pull it home remember to also watch the mailboxes. Do not ask me how I know this.
I will trailer it if I buy it. I noticed the oil leaking from the gearbox. I would check that and replace the seal if needed. If there is a lot of slop in the input shaft, can that be repaired or would it cause me to have to buy a new gearbox ($$$$$) and could you find a gearbox if one was needed.
If I do buy it I plan to spend some time this summer (I work at a school and have 6 weeks off) to do a little repair/restoration of the picker. I would clean/paint/replace parts as needed. I like my stuff to look nice. If I did this would there be a chance of being able to sell it if I find a 323 and get my money back or are there too many original parts missing???
I don't want to buy a piece of junk, that's why I'm here asking for your opinions.
I don't really know how scarse they are in this area, but have spent the last couple weeks scouring the internet. I see plenty of 323's etc... listed for farm auctions in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, etc.... Or in other words, the Corn Belt. I haven't seen any listed in Alabama. There are probably 5 auctions in the next few weeks where I could bid on a 323, but I'd be driving all over the country.
Fergie40 and JBDairy: Where are you guys located. Do you know of a 323 in decent shape that is for sale. If I knew where I could find one I wouldn't mind driving.
I think you could get your money back if you replace worn and broken parts ant repainted it. I am located in SW Minnesota, about 12 mi east of JDTom by Adrian. I don't know of any 323's for sale now but will let you know if I find one.
I'm about 30 miles east of Niagara Falls. I think it's a little too far for you to drive even if I knew of one that was available. I have noticed with pickers that there are not alot that go for reasonable money. It seems they go for outrageous money or next to nothing at auctions.
Thanks for all the help guys. Guess I'll go and check out the 309 next week, as I'm out of school for spring break.
May have a project for this summer. I noticed in the pictures of the 309 that I'm looking at the I don't see the New Idea logo on the screen. If I buy this picker is there somewhere I can get one???
Also, the guy gave me the Serial #. Can you all tell what year model it is if I post that #?
Speaking of emblems, jdtom, I need an emblem for the shield on the left side of the picker. It is the small sheild used for the grinder and the sheller. If you have any more after firefighter9208 gets his I'd be interested in one.
-- Edited by fergie40 on Sunday 15th of March 2009 03:30:33 PM